The Beaver LSE SU Elections live coverage 2007

2007-03-01T23:05:00.000Z

Desh, Girlfriend of Simon Douglas

2007-03-01T23:02:00.000Z

You think Simon will win?

Im not answering any questions that may incriminate myself.

What will you do if Simon does win?

Hopefully go to sleep!

James Ketteringham

2007-03-01T22:56:00.000Z

How are you feeling?

Tired. Tired, confused worried anxious. I am trying to make predictions about things I cant really predict. I feel in limbo, that the answer is in a series of cardboard boxes."

Confident?

Never.

Why not?

Im a natural pessismist when it comes to things like this/

What will you do if you lose?

I dont know yet.

Predictions

Not Chevasco. The rest - either way.

Anything else?

Its [the election] being organised with military precision and accuracy!

Interview with Andy Hallet

2007-03-01T22:55:00.000Z

How are you feeling?
Tired and emotional. It was a fair race. Everyone worked really hard.

Confident?
Not particularly. Society whoever wins won't be a disaster. If it's not me I hope it's Carys.

Carys said there has been some negative campaigning...
No it's not true. It was a good natured campaign, everyone worked very hard.

(Carys has since specified her comment was about ALL the campaign)

Any other comment?
I think the left is going to sweep the board

Your prediction for tonight?
Fadhil
Ketts
Libby
Kayt Berry

Ben Lamy, Random Student

2007-03-01T22:54:00.000Z

How are you feeling?

I'm feeling fine. I think that these elections have been the best organised in my last three years at LSE. They are much better organised than French universities that stink."

Fadhil Bakeer-Markar

2007-03-01T22:37:00.000Z

How are you feeling?

Knackered. Im going to collapse at any moment.

Confident?

Very confident because I gave it my best shot. If it is meant to be then it will happen. If it is not meant to be, it wont.

Word on the street is that you were disappointed with certain aspects of your opponents campaign?

Certain aspects. I will comment further after everything is done.

Any message?
For everyone out there who is watching, if you campaigned for me thanks, if you voted for me thanks, if you didnt thanks. If I am your GenSec I will do a good job.

Carys Morgan

2007-03-01T22:30:00.000Z

How's it going?

I had a really good time, I think unfortunately there is a bit of contention with the campaign. Im quite nervous about it but looking forward to it.

There were a few issues of negative campaigning on both sides. Most issues were resolved and I'm happy.

Adrian Beciri, Returning Officer

2007-03-01T22:29:00.000Z

"Ballots were kept within a secret location within the Econ History department. The only key was in my hands" Returning Officer, in charge of LSE Students' Union Elections.

Quote from mr Headphone, well known balcony boy.

2007-03-01T22:26:00.001Z

I am really excited. The future of paper throwing is on the line and I think that the integrity of the balcony shall always be preserved irregardless of the result.

Adrian Beciri, Returning Officer

2007-03-01T22:23:00.000Z

"The count room is restricted beacuse of problems last year. Im trying to make it as efficient as possible, and generate a serious environment to make it efficient."

"Basically, supervision is taking place even though candidates are splitting their own ballots. Supervision is taking place under Simon Douglas away from his race, Joel Kenrick, Alexandra Vincenti, Lizzie Fison."

"Tomic Babayev from Imperial has been brought in as a Deputy Returning Officer, and we have someone in from ULU as well."

"James Bacon and Arthur Krebbers are also participating."

"There is a strict no-alcohol rule, people have to indicate when they enter and when they leave the room."

Fadhil Bakeer-Markar

2007-03-01T22:22:00.000Z

Word is moving round that Fadhil is feeling extremely confident.

Comment from Kanishka Aubeelack, former SWD officer

2007-03-01T22:18:00.000Z

The last two days have been absolutely insane! Great weather has undoubtedly spurred campaign teams into a frenzy, which has driven the ‘normal’ people of the LSE mad, therefore resulting in a fantastic turnout – undoubtedly driven by the need to get those hacks off their backs. My forecast for the night? I don’t have one. Tonight is maybe advertised as a serious Count night, but in fact, it’s just THE excuse for hacks all over to get together, pissed and emotional all at once for the last great night of the term. And naturally, it’s also the opportunity for Pulse and LooseTV to steal the night from the Beaver - in a maze of wires and technical know-how.

Jeff Courtney

2007-03-01T22:17:00.000Z

How do you feel?
"Well at the moment Im still happy enjoying the adrenalin, and enjoying taking part. When it all comes out Im gonna have to find something else to do."

What do you think your chances are?
"Im still very confident of winning. I think that people realise Im a good candidate"

What will you do if you lose?
"Hopefully go into a doctoral program somewhere doing philosophy of science."

Anything else....?
"Gonna enjoy the evening for what it is and see how things look in the morning."

Interview with Aled Fisher

2007-03-01T22:06:00.000Z

How do you feel?
We have done the best we can in the campaign. Now we just wait to see what happens.

Do you think that having all the Greens campaign for you meant that other candidates from the Green party lost out?
Not at all. We all helped each other. We all leafleted for different people. It was a team effort.

Do you think the left was split?
No. There was a bit of a problem with the sabbs races but there always is. The left has campaigned like a team like never before.

Edward Chevasco - Comms candidate

2007-03-01T22:04:00.000Z

"I have enjoyed the campaign. I have enjoyed tonight. I hope to not be humiliated AND GET REALLY DRUNK!"

Quote from Arthur Krebbers

2007-03-01T21:44:00.000Z

It was "a friendly campaign, with lot of creativity on the street and lot of close races"

Michael Deas on campaiging in Houghton Street

2007-03-01T21:23:00.000Z

I ‘ran’ for F&S. I stood on the street for two whole days trying to get votes for me and other Green candidates…I admit it…here’s a sample of what happened…

Vote Michael for F&S…’Effing who?’

Hi there, have you voted in the SU elections? ‘No, I don’t believe in democracy, man. If you want power, you got to grab it!’

‘I’m definitely not voting for you, I heard you tortured donkeys.’

You get the picture anyway. It might suck to be the average student, walking down Houghton Street having leaflets and tacky slogans shoved in your face. But it’s not much better to be the person trying to shove those leaflets in your face. Yes, I know you think you’re funny, but I heard that reason for not voting ten minutes ago. Twice.

Standing out on the street convincing people you don’t know that they should vote for a position they’ve never heard of for reasons they don’t understand doesn’t exactly make you feel like a radical student on his way to saving the world. But that’s not the point.

Whoever wants to believe that LSESU elections are the first stepping stone to becoming a great leader of global change can do, but those who do don’t have much fun. The people who get the most out of election time aren’t the people who are running for Sab or exec positions, but the people who are on their campaign teams.

The guy who stood outside the Old Building in a dress all morning proudly bearing his chesthair in the hope it might produce an extra vote for Berry #1, he had fun.

The bloke who carried the Simon Douglas sign and serenaded us all with ‘1234…Simon Douglas…5678….SIMON DOUGLAS!’ for two whole days (thanks man, you kept us going), he had fun.

And I guess I had fun too…exercising my democratic right to waste paper and harass apathetic students…convincing people that if only they’d vote green in LSESU elections global climate change could be averted tomorrow…wearing someone else’s face on a T-shirt for two days…

But seriously, student elections don’t work not because of the people who run, but because Joe Student doesn’t give a fuck. And That’s worrying because if LSE students, supposedly the best minds in Europe, don’t give a fuck, then who is going to keep a check on career politicians when they are running for parliament instead of SU elections?

Campaigning in Houghton Street

2007-03-01T21:19:00.000Z

The day has finally drawn to a close. Campaigning, many people call it. But I honestly think that it was more to do with screaming your lungs out and accosting random people on Houghton Street. Which of course means that right now I am feeling very very tired. But then again I shouldn’t be complaining...many other people seemed to be doing better than me in both the screaming and accosting departments!

It all started out quite normally. I had to put on the mandatory t-shirt, cover myself with lots of ‘I vote for xxxx’ stickers and hand out lots and lots of flyers to anyone who would take them. But before I go any further I think I should let it be known that I’m not really the usual hack. I don’t really care much for politics, neither for people who make a big deal of it. So the only real reason I decided to get involved was so that I could show some support for my friends. Which inevitably meant that I had to campaign for several people at the same time : not the best idea!!!

Handing out flyers was very daunting. Most people decided to pretend I didn’t exist and just walked past. Others had the courtesy to smile while some decided to lie and say that they had already voted. A few decided to listen to what I had to say and walked away possibly a little more convinced that they should vote for the candidate I was supporting. Things weren’t helped by the fact that the weather was freezing and I couldn’t wear a jacket since it would cover up the t-shirt with the candidate’s name on. So I braved the cold, ruined my vocal cords and made a general fool of myself (it was obvious from the funny way all the non-SU/hack people looked at me).

And now I sit here, writing this little piece while I wait for the count to begin. Although I should do the smart thing and go home, the count draws me to it, like a moth to a flame. Hopefully all the screaming and running around I did has paid off and the people I supported will see their dreams come true. But then again experience tells me that election counts are very unpredictable.

So after a very long day I’m only at the beginning of a very long night. Perhaps campaigning wasn’t so bad after all…

AU elections: projection

2007-03-01T21:09:00.000Z

Preliminary expectations are that Dan Holmes is going to easily win the uncontested AU Presidency. Similarly, Jen Barker seems to be winning fairly convincingly over the less well known Neil Yogananther. The other races are expected to me much closer with Kimberlee James having a slight advantage in the Events race, Rob Low edging Rhys Meggy in the Secretary’s race, Sophie De-La-Hunt beating Louis De-Ste-Croix and Josh Tendeter becoming the next club liason.

from two very anonymous editors

2007-03-01T20:40:00.000Z

THE BEAVER CAN REVEAL….. tonight, no one (hopefully) is going to die. If everyone remembers that perhaps they will be happy. Happiness is gone from the LSE campus. Perhaps because…. Its election time at the LSE.

Tonight, citizens of the world can be united under their common anxiety over who will be on the next Constitution and Steering Committee? Even worse—who will be the next Returning Officer? This is a life or death situation. I don’t think people take it seriously enough.

Ah, election time. People who hardly know you kissing your ass trying to get your vote, flyers shoved in your face, ugly people trying to be pretty and hug you. Its dirty and wrong. One Beaver Editor liked Zoe’s ass though. I mean, how could Fadhil ever compete?

This Iraq shit is totally distracting people from SU elections. What the fuck? Get your priorities straight. They might actually BAN paper throwing at the UGM! I can barely sleep at night.

Yesterday, someone tried to tell me some dude tried to kill American VP Dick Cheney in Afghanistan this week. Why, why would someone waste my time with this information? More importantly, let’s talk about the fact that The Beaver dared to try to be objective during elections. Its never worked before, why try now? I’m offended by this ridiculous action.

Okay, okay. SU elections are important. But a little perspective wouldn’t hurt. As long as everyone goes home with all of their limbs and most of their brain cells, I’ll be happy. Not thrilled, because I’m not too excited about some of the candidates, but no tears will be shed.

Our GenSec will represent our union, the same way Peter Sutherland represents LSE. Wait, what? I’m confused.

I’m going to go pour another shot now. Yay elections!

Simon Douglas on campaigning in Houghton Street Today

2007-03-01T20:30:00.000Z

This is Simon Douglas' account of campaigning in Houghton Street for the past two days.

Street campaigning is exhausting. People who think that we take student politics lightly should spend 10 hours on the street. Today, I got in to LSE at 8am, left at 6.30pm (half an hour before close of polls due to an agreement between the Comms candidates) and left the street only to flyer carious computer rooms and the Brunch Bowl. I even ate my lunch while campaigning. It. Was. Hard. Core.

And it’s not 8.30 and I have no idea how it all went. Was it worth it? I have to wait another five or six hours to find that out; and I have to say that this waiting is even harder than the campaigning. Here’s hoping…

Joel Kenrick's speech

2007-03-01T20:18:00.000Z

For the past year it has been my privilege to serve as your Treasurer. I have tried to serve you well, and deliver on my promises - more money for societies. a stronger Advice Centre. a campaigning Union. A strategic plan for our future.

Yet there is much to be done.

Under my leadership we would be a different kind of Union.

We sometimes seem too content to sit back, managing the decline of our student voice. More interested in managing relations with the School than fighting for our students.

My campaign is about reclaiming our values, our strength and our dreams. Restoring our sense of common purpose. Together few obstacles can withstand the unified power of our voices calling for change.

It is time for our Union to stand together in solidarity with all of our members.

We should drive the campaign to make a further education once more affordable to all, to keep the cap, for free prescriptions and extending travel discounts.

We should vigorously fight against the chant of 'extremism on campus' which so often leads to the unfair, unjust and unfounded victimization of our black and ethnic minority students.

For too long post-graduates have been sidelined, but I’ll fight hard for their rights. We should campaign to improve their teaching, support GTAs, end the unfair application and deferral charges. I’d lead a nationwide campaign to extend cheap Student Loans to postgraduate students.

Our Union, with students from over 140 countries, must be an internationalist Union, unafraid to show real support for students suffering under oppression or occupation around the world, and willing to stand up against those complicit in their pain.

The LSE was founded 112 years ago for the betterment of society by Fabians to understand the causes of things.

We are a social science university, not a business school. As a Union we should never forget this.

Lets lead the way in a new way of thinking which puts a concern for poverty, inequality, human rights and the environment at the heart of all our actions.

I'm in it to win it. To win for students who care.

To win for student solidarity and a return to the days when the LSE Students' Union was taken seriously as a persuasive force for powerful, positive change.

United we’re unbeatable. United we will win.

Next week vote with your heart. Vote with your wallet. Vote for the future.

Whoever you vote for use your vote wisely. And never forget the powerful, active and campaigning Union that we can become.

Thank you.

International Students: Firoz Riaz Noordeen

2007-03-01T20:10:00.000Z

Vote for A Union of Diversity- Vote Firoz. He will...Increase Representation: Be the voice of all International Students at LSE; Work with the Residences Officer to make residence International Representatives more effectual.
Improve LSE Induction: Encourage familiarisation of London, via a pioneering year-long series of cultural and enjoyable events; Further develop the International Students’ Handbook and work with the General Course representative to create a General Course Guide
Expand SU diversity: Develop diverse, inter-cultural events by increasing mutual co-operation amongst societies; Raise cultural awareness by encouraging all students to join a diverse range of societies.
Enhance Welfare: Lobby against fee rises and push for more bursaries/grants; Oppose rising visa charges and work-permit restrictions; Work with the Anti-Racism Officer to fight discrimination in all its forms, especially Racism; Work with the Environment & Ethics Officer to form a more Eco-friendly and Health-conscious LSE.

LGBT: Dom Rampat

2007-03-01T20:05:00.000Z

1. An LGBT for all: Encourage higher levels of participation within the society for all regardless of their sexuality; Work closely with the Women’s and International Students’ officers to ensure fair representation of these students; Support the NUS ‘What Women Want’ Lesbian rights campaign.
2. Better advertising of Office Hours and LGBT counseling services: Integrate services with the Welfare Sab to help those in need seek help or advice.
3. A truly integrated LGBT society within the SU: Encourage more LGBT involvement within SU; discourage such a strong clique defining the LGBT society; Fight the homophobia inherent in some societies.
4. A high-profile LGBT awareness week: More emphasise on the extent of homophobia that still exists in large parts of both the UK and world; Work with gay rights organisations such as Stonewall to facilitate LGBT career fairs and health workshops.

Environment and Ethics: Doug Oliver

2007-03-01T20:04:00.000Z

I can’t offer the Earth in this election: whatever it’s outcome, it’s unfortunately likely that the Polar Ice Caps will still be melting and London’s streets will still be polluted by West London plutocrats in Chelsea Tractors. However, I want our Union to make the simple but necessary steps to ensure that LSE reduces its ecological footprint:
Re-affirm the Union’s commitment to Recycling; Provide full support to the campaign to extend TfL student discounts; Press the school for the installation of water fountains; Support the campaign for the Living Wage.
As former SU Returning Officer and Bankside Committee member and as a current Society Treasurer, LSE delegate to NUS, and Amnesty Committee member, I know how to make our school work better for students.
A political moderate I want a new environment in our SU where positive politics comes before personality-driven acrimony. For a better environment for students, Vote Doug.